If a sudden downfall hits your house and you're faced with leaks that have sprung up or caused damage to your roof, you need to take action to repair the roof. Some homeowners are content to leave the holes alone because the episodes are so infrequent, and don't cause any damage to their possessions.
They catch the drips in a bucket of water and dispose of it afterward, but what about the water that collects on the roof that they can't see? If water hasn't drained or been evaporated for two days after rain, it's termed ‘standing water' or ‘pooling’. The problem is that these collections of water begin to sag the roof. The ‘pool’ gets bigger to hold more standing water. It’s an ongoing cycle.
The issue is that as more water collects the structure of your roof needs to bear more weight. Every roof is assigned a weight threshold when it is built. This is calculated by looking at how much weight the roof can hold before it collapses.
As standing water increases on your roof, there is more pressure put on your roof to support the additional weight. If the problem is ignored the standing water will challenge the weight threshold of the roof. Standing water weighs approximately 2.2kgs per 2.5cms, per square foot of roof surface. When you look at the numbers, a standing water area could put an excess of 450kgs of roof weight to the supporting structures. This is dangerous for your roof and the inhabitants that live beneath it. The last thing you want is for your roof to come crashing down.
What else does standing water do to your roof? It will increase the risk of leaks exponentially. That's because most roofs have small pinhole imperfections on the surface. When water runs down the slope of the roof, it's moving too fast to infiltrate these minute intrusions. When water stops running, or pools, it has weight and downward pressure that forces it into these spaces. From an innocent pinhole, you now have an active leak sending water into your ceiling.
Pooled water will also encourage algae growth that can attack some roof materials. If you live in an alpine area, ice will form in the cold month. Moss, mold, and mildew all thrive on roofing that doesn't have good drainage. Ignore these are your peril as they will cause your roof to rot.
There is an option is to use a solar-powered pump to remove the water that pools. It's considered a temporary solution and won’t solve the problem. It will, however, prevent leaks from infiltrating your roof cavity and causing more damage. It buys you time while you consult a roofing contractor to look at your options of repairing or replacing the roof.
Heavy rainfall isn’t always the only factor that causes precipitation to collect on your roof. You could be adding water to the roof surface yourself without even knowing it. Air-conditioning units, drain lines or roof fixtures that leak could also be letting water collect where it shouldn’t. Another common cause of leaks or standing water is when roof debris collects.
What would a professional roofer suggest? You may have the option to repitch the roof or the go the route of exploring the installation of more drains, which will deal with the excess water. The crucial thing is to deal with standing water on your roof as soon as you can.
As roof ages, the risk of it pooling increases, there may be circumstances that mean you are looking at a reroof. The benefit of this is that you can feel secure knowing that water isn't collecting without your knowledge. Leaks can cause extensive damage to your home, and you could be sitting with a time bomb if there is standing water on the roof you are unaware of.
Keep yourself in the know with an annual roof inspection, or get into the habit of having it looked at after a hail or windstorm. The good news is that any sign of roof pooling can be seen immediately. All you have to do is look at your roof, and it will be apparent that there's a problem. Look out for dark spots too, as the moisture caused by pooling will be driving the spread of mold.
Remember, the small cost of a professional roof inspection will outweigh the cost of repair. If you pick up a roofing problem sooner rather than later, you will save in the long run. When you choose a contractor or roof repair service, make sure you ask for proof of their license and insurance. If an incident occurs on your property and they are not covered, you could find yourself landed with unforeseen bills.
